I recently received an e-mail from one of my subscribers that asked a question. The answer may be useful to some so I’m placing it here.

The original question

It seems so interesting developing websites application these days, thanks to the web 2.0 phenomena. I can’t call myself a web developer or anything near that, but I’m interested to learn these kind of [things].

[…]

Since you seem to be real world developer to me, I have a couple of questions to ask you. I’ve been messing around with XHTML, CSS, Javascript, PHP and MySQL [for] a couple of months now, and it frustrates me sometimes when I sort of forget things and [can]’t understand the flow of the design of what I’m trying to achieve. [..]

Based on your experience, do you do everything by your own, i mean there are the front end and the back end [things], do you do both?

Talking of object oriented programming (i guess that’s what prototype, script.aculo.us and ajax are really about), which OOP did u learn first? I [learned] simple Java before but does that come into play for web development as well? I mean, does it help if i go into detail learning Java?

Any other useful advice? I would appreciate your comments. Thank you.

My Reply

Web 2.0 phenomenon…Yeah, its good to stay on top of things like that :)

Development. XHTML, CSS, Javascript, PHP and MySQL…I do it all, however, I did not learn them all at once…but over a series of years. I think the key concept is to really try and keep your logic from your design – keep the MySQL/PHP side of things separate from the XHTML/CSS side of things ( e.g. Ajax, Templating, and the Separation of Layout and Logic). Javascript is a bit of a wildcard and bridges between both the presentation and logic.

You can do the above with and without Object Oriented Programming…although OOP is the preferred method. My first OOP language was Java. Next I branched out to Object Oriented PHP, and finally (last year) I learned Object Oriented Javascript.

All you really need is the OO concept in your head before you branch out and if you’ve used Java, you should be good to go. So to answer your question: “Does it help if you go into detail learning Java.” is this: It won’t hurt, but isn’t necessary to succeed in learning the above languages/tools. When using Object Orientation and switching languages, its all about learning the syntax and the gotchas associated with your chosen language.

The biggest chunks of advice I can give regarding your tools of choice are as follows:

XHTML/CSS

keep it simple

use ids/classes rather than inline styles

PHP

live on php.net

learn through irritation with your own code…mine goes through constant revisions and optimizations
– pick up a templating engine to help keep your layout and logic separate. I use XTemplates. I’m thinking about looking into SmartyTemplates….use whatever you wish…but templates save TONS of time.

MySQL

know your data

know how to normalize your data

download open source applications and look at their database structure for a good idea of what their doing and go from there

DotA is a great game with many game options. If you are new to this blessed game and wish to expand your knowledge and/or practice, your only real option is to play on Battle.net with human teammates and opponents due to the lack of Artificial Intelligence built in. If you suck, you’re bound to face ridicule for the entirety of a game…which is enough to drive potentially good players from ever playing again.

Enter DotA AI. Shortly after a new version of DotA gets released, its equivalent version with AI is pushed out for download by the powers that be. I’ve played with AI only once and the bots seem to be pretty decent. They build their own items, team up and attempt to kill opponents, plus anything else you’d expect to see a player do. Pretty sexy. So, if you find yourself sucking and in need of practice…or you need your 10 person DotA match with no leavers, check out DotA AI.